Sidewalk-block-molding machine.



PATENTED JULY 17, 1906.

A. P. MELI'ON. SIDEWALK BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 18. 1905.

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, A. P. MELTON. SIDEWALK BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 18. 1905.

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U W/M UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR P. MELTON, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO MIRACLE PRESSEDSTONE COMPANY, OF SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA, AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA,A CORPORATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 17, 1906.

Application filed August 18,1905. Serial No. 274.6 72.

To all, whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARTHUR P. MELTON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State ofMinnesota, have invented new and useful Improvements in Sidewalk-Block-Molding Machines, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved appliance formolding concrete blocks, particularly of the form suitable forsidewalk-building or like purposes requiring blocks having one finishedface of large area relatively to the thickness of the block.

It consists of the features of construction set out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodyingthis invention, showing the laten-carrier elevated and the molded blocthereon ready for removal. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same withthe platen removed. Fig. 3 is a section at the line 3 3 on Fig. 1. Fig.4 is a section at the line 4 4 on Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail section atthe line 5 5 on Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a detail section at the line 6 6 onFig. 3.

This machine comprises a stand consisting of two side standards 1 1,each comprising two legs and connecting-webs 2 and 3, the former at thetop and the latter nearer the bottom than the top. The two standards areconnected by the X-shaped cross-frame 4, having its four terminalsbolted two against each of the standards at the lower cross-web 3 of thelatter. The standards are further connected by the top 5, which is arectangular frame, said standards having suitable horizontal webs 1 atthe top in the angle between the two flanges constituting the respectivelegs for bolts which take through said webs 1 and corresponding webs 5in the angles between the vertical webs of said top frame at the fourcorners. The top frame 5 has in addition to its four sides a cross-web6, which is T-shaped in cross-section and which connects two oppositeparallel sides of the frame midway between the other two opposite sides.This cross-web is depressed at the middle point of its length and has atthat point a boss 6 vertically-apertured to afford guide-bearing for athrust-rod, hereinafter described, for lifting the platen. The opening,generally rectangular, in this top frame besides being interrupted bythe cross-web 6 is further interrupted by four lugs 5 formingplatenrests, which project two from each of the two opposite sides ofthe frame, which are connected by the crossweb 6 about midway be tweensaid cross-web and the other two parallel sides of the top frame,leaving the aperture of said latter frame uninterrupted at the fourcorners. Above the top frame 5 there is mounted an H-shaped spider orplatenlifting frame 7, whose cross-bar 7 extends crosswise of thecross-Web 6 and has at the middle point of its length a boss 7, which isadapted to lodge directly above the boss 6 on a cross-web 6 and fromwhich at its lower side a spindle or stem extends through the apertureof the boss 6, which thus becomes a vertical guide-bearing for saidstem, which is also otherwise guided, as hereinafter mentioned, to holdthe H-sha ed platen-lifter horizontal in lifting the p aten. The twoside bars 7 7 of the H-shape'd platen-lifter 7 extend alongside the sidebars of the frame 5, which are parallel with the cross-bars 6, and thusoccupy at their four ends the four corners, respectively, of thegenerally rectangular aperture of the frame 5, the ends of said sidebars 7 standing thus respectively alongside the four lugs 5 of the topframe 5, while said lugs or platen-rests project inward within themargin of the outermost supportingpoints of the lifter. Upon the uppersurface of said side bars 7 at their upper ends are formedslightly-upraised bosses 7 the upper surfaces of which are substantiallyin the plane of the upper surfaces of the lugs 5 of the top 5 when theboss 7 of the H-shaped frame rests upon the upper side of the crossbar 6at the central depressed point of the latter above the apertured boss6*. Mounted upon the upper side of the top frame 5 is the mold 9, whichis a four-sided rectangular frame open directly through from top tobottom, its purpose being to form the side walls of the cavity in whichthe concrete block is to be molded. For securing it on the top of thetop frame it has exteriorly-projecting lugs 9,

and to adapt said top frame to support molds of different dimensionssaid top has at two opposite sides horizontally-projecting lugs 5 havinga plurality-of bolt-holes 5 ,.adapted to correspond in position andregister with.

the bolt-holes which may be formed through the lugs 9 of molds ofdifferent sizes.

8 is a platen, which may be of wood and of which a multiplicity willbe.employed inoperating the machine, oneto be used with each it while it isbeing cured and har- 5. Theuplatens will .ofcourse be madeofvaryingd-imensions corresponding to the vary,- ing sizes of the.molds, soas toform a complete bottom forthealatter, obtaining support attheir end portions which extend beyond the-opposite parallel sides ofthe top frame by lodgment-upon the lugs 5 and which are up-v raised-so:as tobe ,level with the surface of the upraised-lugs 7 'of the H-shapedplatenlifter'Z. For. operating the platen-lifter its stemor spindle 1Oobtains guide-bearing by extend-. ingthrough the central boss 4* of the.X-- shaped cross-frame 4 and also, asabove men-.

tioned,.through the central boss-6 of the top frame. At itslowerendlsaidstem projects below the cross-frame {l and ispivotally-connectedtoa pedal-leverrll, which is pivotally connected byalink 12 with one arm ofthe X-shaped cross-frame 4, said armhaving aboss; 4 and1a lug 4 projecting alongside the boss-andthe link. 12rbeingentered between theyboss and the lug and there secured by avpivot-bolt."

13: is ;a pedal-piece. mounted .upon. the

swinging end-.of thepedal-lever 11, which, it

willbe noticed, extends ina plane approximately parallel to ,one of thediagonal arms ofthe- X-s'haped cross-frames 4 and emerges past one ofthelugs'of one of the standards at one corner of the. machine, so .that itcan be reached conveniently for operating the thrust-nod without beingin the way of an operator standing, as is most convenient forthe.

purpose ofthe work, at either side of the ma.- chine, and thus making itpossible for two or even fouroperators to assist in the. process offilling and tamping the mold, one standing at each of thefour sides,either of the two standing at the} 1 sides between which the pedalemerges at the corner, being in convenient po-, sition ,for. operatingthe pedal .when it is jde.

siredtolift the block from the mold..

The form- .of the platen-lifter as having two side bars and ,aconnectingcross-bar,- leaving the other two sides-open and rendering itH. shaped, is designed to facilitate the lifting of .cessibleiat theunderside except only at the points where the two terminal bosses 7? aresupported. a 7o By'the construction of the platen-lifter and the top ofthe frame into which the platen recedes provision is made for easilyclearing the parts of the machine from any droppings from the mold-boxor any material which may accumulate under the platen. Inthisway-theplaten is adapted to seat itself firmly and-squarely on theframe, and by providing the inwardly-projecting. lug-sorplaten-rests atthe points illustrated and .hereinaboveides, 8o scribed a large number.of. supporting-points g..- are .--provided.and distributed aboutequally; around the top of the frame ,.it being'a ndere stood that afirm'support. for the plateniis necessary, to withstandthe tamping-flof-the;;.8 5

: concrete .in the mo1.d,and prevent straining 1 C and operating itvertical y; and,horizontally; extendedplaten-supporting arms constitute;ing a skeleton support for. the. ,platen, the; platen carried on saidskeleton support.adapt-, .,1o5 ed to form a bottom forthe mold-cavity,the apertured top of the standhaving its .apertures corresponding tothe, arms of said skele ston platen-support. to. permit the latter topass through the formerand being adapted to afford. lodgment' for. theplaten -.at -the ,cle ppessed position to which it is lowered by the liter- 3. A machine for the purposestated com prising arigid stand havingan apertured -top ;.1 I 5 an open-bottomed mold mounted on thetopencompassing the, apertured portion thereof-g a platen-lifterandmeansformoving it ver tically through the mold,- said liftercompris-jing. horizontally-extended ,arms forming a skeleton supportfortheplaten, said arms;be-.- ing in position correspondingtotheapertures of said apertured .top so. that;: they pass 1 through-saidtop .when the lifter .is depressed,.. the form of said apertures andskeleton being, I 2 5 such as to ,affordprojections from the. margin,;

of the apertures in the; top extending inward .platen-lifterhaving a riidjstem forguiding,

the platen-lifter, whereby the platen is supported at its margins on thestand-top when at depressed position forming the bottom of the mold.

4. In a machine for the urpose stated, in combination with the mo d andthe stand which supports it a platen adapted to form a false or movablebottom for the mold; a platen-lifter and means for moving it verticallythrough the mold, said platen-lifter having horizontally-extendedarmsforming an Hshaped skeleton platensupport, the standtop beingapertured to permit said H-shaped lifter to pass down through the standfor lodging the platen on the top of the latter.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of twoWitnesses, at Minneapolis, Minnesota, this 7th day of August, 1905.

ARTHUR P. ELTON.

In presence of O. W. MIRACLE, RAY TRAUTHAN.

